Say goodbye to the Google Pay app you knew, folks. As of June 4th, 2024, it’s officially out of the picture in the US. But fear not, mobile payment fans! Google Wallet is stepping up to handle all your tap-to-pay needs.

Here’s the thing: while Wallet lets you pay with a simple tap, it doesn’t have all the bells and whistles Google Pay offered. Remember how you could send cash to friends or track your spending? Those features are currently MIA.

Now, Google Pay isn’t entirely gone. It’s still the brand name for making phone purchases, but the app itself is kaput.

Let’s rewind a bit. Back in 2020, Google Pay’s big redesign promised a one-stop shop for managing your money. They introduced a chat-like interface for purchase history, plus a “money tracker” that connected with your bank accounts. There were even deals and cash-back offers to sweeten the pot!

Speaking of sweet dreams, Google also had a project called “Plex Accounts” in the works. This ambitious idea involved co-branded checking and savings accounts with features like customizable savings goals and round-up transfers to boost your nest egg. Sadly, this project got cancelled in 2021 despite a lot of interest.

So, what’s the deal? Why the switch? Google seems to be focusing more on partnering with banks to improve their digital services, rather than competing directly.

The Bottom Line:

While the Google Pay app is gone, contactless payments are alive and well with Google Wallet. Just keep in mind that some features you might be used to are missing for now. Here’s hoping Google Wallet gets an upgrade to become the all-in-one financial buddy we were promised!